KATHMANDU, October 29, 2026 — Raju Lama, International President of the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) and Editor-in-Chief of Times Asian, is scheduled to participate as a speaker at the Global Press Peace Summit Webinar 2026, an international online forum focused on the role of journalism in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and global security.
The webinar will be held on Thursday, October 29, under the theme “Silencing the Guns, Amplifying the Truth: The Role of Journalism in Peacebuilding, Conflict Prevention and Global Security.” According to the organizer, the programme is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT).
Lama will join an international panel of journalists, researchers, human rights advocates and media professionals from different regions to discuss the relationship between responsible journalism, peace and international security.
As the International President of the SAARC Journalist Forum, Lama’s participation represents a South Asian media perspective in an international discussion about the responsibilities of journalists in a world affected by armed conflicts, political tensions, misinformation and humanitarian crises.
The webinar aims to highlight how accurate reporting, independent journalism and cross-border media cooperation can contribute to public understanding, encourage dialogue and help prevent conflicts from escalating. It also provides a platform to discuss the challenges faced by journalists reporting from conflict-affected regions and the importance of protecting press freedom and the safety of media workers.
Journalism plays an important role in documenting human rights violations, bringing humanitarian concerns to international attention and providing citizens with reliable information during periods of uncertainty. At the same time, responsible reporting requires verification, impartiality, sensitivity to affected communities and resistance to propaganda and disinformation.
Lama’s participation is expected to bring attention to the experiences and concerns of journalists across South Asia, a region where media professionals cover complex political, social and geopolitical developments. Regional cooperation among journalists and media organisations can help strengthen professional standards, promote dialogue and amplify perspectives that may otherwise receive limited international attention.
The event lists Dr.-Ing. Nashon Adero as moderator and Vera Paja, a human rights activist, as the keynote speaker. Other listed speakers include Ms. Carren Ondeyo, Dr. Rehema Swalehe, Dr. Fred Nasubo, Abdirahman Aden, Bill Otieno, Najat Rizk, Scott Jacobsen, Saša Dobrijević, Liz Cookman, Benard Ochieng’ and Dr. Pharis Murangai.
The participation of speakers from different professional and geographical backgrounds reflects the webinar’s international focus on the connections between journalism, human rights, peace and security.
For the SAARC Journalist Forum, engagement in international media dialogues offers an opportunity to strengthen professional exchanges, encourage solidarity among journalists and promote the contribution of South Asian media to global conversations about peace and freedom of expression.
The Global Press Peace Summit Webinar 2026 underscores a central question for the international media community: how can journalism report the realities of conflict while helping societies understand its causes, protect human dignity and pursue peaceful solutions?
About the SAARC Journalist Forum
The SAARC Journalist Forum is a regional platform for journalists and media professionals across South Asia. Under the international leadership of Raju Lama, the forum seeks to encourage cooperation among journalists, promote press freedom and strengthen professional solidarity across the region.
